| The event was special for several reasons, the A.A.s had ‘got their man’ – at last, Birkenhead Park F.C. renewed a longstanding connection with the Navy, going back to the ship building days at Cammell Laird and the Club had a truly representative match at which to open several new features of the on-going redevelopment. This exercise was elegantly carried out by Michael Lord, President of Cheshire R.F.U., at the splendid pre-match gathering in the superb newly refurbished Function Room.
Both Wooden Spoon Anti-Assassins and R.N. Committees were well represented and mixed freely in a party atmosphere with the Home Club’s President, Committee and Guests: the latter including several invitees from the R.F.U. acknowledging their involvement with the Go Play Rugby initiative.
And so, to the game itself. The first half was close and evenly contested, with both sides showing more cohesion than might have been expected from two scratch sides. A traditional rolling maul set up the first A.A’s try by Chris Wolfenden, followed not long after by a delightful bout of inter-passing within the backs, resulting in Andre Wilson scoring. The R.N. got onto the score sheet with an interception try by Rob Lloyd, who had just returned from a successful venture in Dubai with the Navy Sharks. This team had beaten the Wooden Spoon Blues, a young development team in a competative group game and revenge by the Spoon team was obviously a driving force. 10-5 was the half-time score and it was anyone’s match.
One ventures to suggest that long distance travel had something to do with the fact that the Wooden Spoon A-A.s dominated most of the half during the course of which they scored three tries. The ‘home’ pack took control, but the ball was in the backs as much as practicable, since both sides were committed to Baa-Baa style play, in spite of the evening being wet and windy. Steve Campbell scored first after a good run by Craig Ross, Chris Wolfenden swears he scored the next, so two for him: this try being converted by Gareth Wynne. The final A-A. try was credited to Tom Mantell after heavy forward pressure.
Final Score Wooden Spoon A.A.s 27, R.N. 5.
The Scoreline mattered little. Rugby Football gained as forty odd players enjoyed themselves without the constraints of leagues. The Wooden Spoon Charity gained by a donation from Birkenhead Park F.C.
The Wooden Spoon Anti-Assassins would particularly like to thank those coaches who released players to take part. Thanks too to the Liverpool & District Referees Society for producing Gareth Hodges and his team to officiate. He entered into the spirit, by whistling as little as possible. Dr. John Rees and Pamela Gardiner covered our medical needs, thankfully very few. Meade-King, Robinson’s sponsorship is gratefully acknowledged, but the main debt of gratitude goes to Roger Blake, for so enthusiastically and efficiently bring the Wooden Spoon A-A’s side together.
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